ES2885428T3 - Indication of LTE Uplink Modulation-Coding Scheme (MCS) Tables - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of wireless communications, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, (115), downlink control information, DCI, comprising an uplink, UL, grant of resources to the UE (115) , the DCI having a DCI format and configured to transmit a Modulation-Coding Scheme, MCS, table reference; identify an MCS table (505, 510) from among a plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table reference indicates which of the MCS table plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) are to be used and wherein the MCS table (505, 510) defines the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in the UL grant, and wherein an MCS table determination for UL is managed separately from the MCS table determination for downlink; and sending one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to the MCS table (505, 510); wherein the UE identifies the MCS table reference (505, 510) based on at least the DCI format together with a DCI configuration, where the configuration includes one or more than one selected control channel type of between PDCCH and E-PDCCH, a selected virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH, or a configuration whose power control loop is associated with PUSCH transmissions.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Indication of LTE Uplink Modulation-Coding Scheme (MCS) Tables

Background

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (eg time, frequency and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and radio frequency multiple access systems. orthogonal frequency division (OFDMA).

In general, a multiple access wireless communications system may include a number of base stations, each of which simultaneously supports communication for multiple mobile devices. Base stations can communicate with mobile devices on downstream and upstream links. Each base station has a coverage range, which can be called the coverage area of the cell. A base station may grant resources to a mobile device for upstream transmissions. The base station and mobile device may access a modulation-coding scheme (MCS) table to determine the MCS to use for uplink transmission. As wireless communication systems increase their support of additional MCS, existing MCS tables may not include data entries accounting for these additional MCS that are supported by the communication system. Therefore, additional MCS tables may be developed and wireless communication systems may require methods to reference the multiple MCS tables. In particular, a mobile device that participates in upstream communications using such additional MCS may benefit from methods for indicating corresponding MCS tables to the mobile device.

3GPP Document R1-141212, "MCS Indication for 256QAM', from Panasonic, TSG-RAN WG1 Meeting 76bis, March 31 - April 4, 2014, Shenzhen, China, focuses on signaling for a table of New MCS A new MCS table for 256 QAM modulation can be indicated by transmitting DCI in the UE specific search space, or by using DCI with a CRC scrambled with C-RNTI or by using DCI formats other than Format 1A and Format 1C It is also proposed to indicate the MCS table using a bit in the PQI field of the 2D DCI format.

3GPP Document R1-141501, "MCS table design for 256 QAM', by Broadcom Corporation, TSG-RAN WG1 Meeting No. 76bis, Shenzhen, China, Mar 31 - Apr 4, 2014, discloses a method to indicate the use of an MCS table containing 256 QAM or a legacy MCS table according to the masking bit sequence applied to the DCI format CRC on the downlink.

3GPP Document R1-141338, "Further details on 256QAM operation" by LG Electronics, TSG RAN WG1 Meeting No. 76bis, Shenzhen, China, March 31 - April 4, 2014, suggests that the MCS table 256 QAM should be used for subframes with a high SINR, and that legacy MCS table should be used for non-ABS subframes, subframes with high interference from the dominant interferer, or subframes where the downlink power has been reduced. reduced for interference coordination purposes.

3GPP document R1-141286, "Discussion on 256QAM related signaling/procedure", from Samsung, TSG RAN WG1 Meeting No. 76bis in Shenzhen, China, March 31 - April 4, 2014, suggests indicating the use of a high order modulation MCS table: in a set of subframes experiencing a low level of interference, using the PQI field of the DCI format, using the DCI 1A format if it is c Rs based demodulation for PDSCH. For the latter case, if DCI 1A format with DM-RS demodulation is used, 256 QAM modulation is supported.

There remains a need for a more efficient way to tailor the MCS.

The present invention provides a solution according to the subject matter of the independent claims.

Summary

Independent claim 1 defines a method for receiving downlink control information, DCI, comprising an uplink grant, UL, the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a modulation and coding scheme table reference , MCS, according to the invention. Independent claim 5 defines the corresponding apparatus according to the invention. Independent claim 10 defines the corresponding method for transmitting the DCI according to the invention. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Further scope of applicability of the described methods and apparatus will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the description will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Brief description of the drawings

Further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure can be gained by reference to the following drawings. In the accompanying figures, similar components or features may have the same reference tag. Additionally, multiple components of the same type can be distinguished by following the reference tag with a hyphen and a second tag that distinguishes between similar components. If, in the specification, only the first reference tag is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference tag, regardless of the second reference tag. Figure 1 shows a diagram of a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary downlink MCS table in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary downlink CQI table in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figures 5A and 5B show exemplary uplink MCS tables in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart for indicating MCS in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 shows another flowchart for indicating MCS in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a device according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 9 shows a block diagram of another device in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 10 shows a block diagram of an apparatus for indicating MCS in a wireless communication device in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 11 shows a block diagram of a device according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 12 shows a block diagram of another device in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 13 shows a block diagram of another apparatus for indicating MCS in a wireless communication device in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 14 shows an example method for indicating MCS in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 15 shows another example method for indicating MCS in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Figure 16 shows another example method for indicating MCS in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed description

Wireless communication standards may support various modulation-coding schemes (MCS) for downlink and uplink transmissions. In one configuration, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16 QAM), and 64 QAM may be examples of legacy modulation-coding schemes supported by a wireless communication standard. Furthermore, a wireless communication standard may support non-legacy MCS up to, for example, at least 256 QAM. As an example, wireless communication standards may provide for the use of multiple MCSs for downlink transmissions, and may even include fallback operations to ensure that supported configurations for 256 QAM are covered. To do this, an evolved Node B (eNB) in a wireless communication system can select an appropriate MCS table to use for downlink transmissions on a wireless channel. However, for uplink transmissions, separate MCSs can be used. Therefore, a separate indication to a user equipment (UE) indicating which MCS table to refer to may be beneficial. Consequently, a wireless communication system may enable long-term evolving (LTE) MCS indication methods for uplink transmissions. In this or other examples, MCS associated with higher order modulations or higher complexity modulations (eg, 1024 QAM) may be used.

The techniques and apparatus described indicate MCS tables to a UE for the UE to use to modulate and encode uplink transmissions. The UE may receive downlink control information (DCI) that it is configured to transmit and indicate which of a plurality of MCS tables the UE is to use for resources provided in an uplink grant. The UE may determine the DCI configuration to identify the appropriate MCS table to use and send a modulated and encoded uplink transmission based on the identified MCS table. The DCI configuration may convey the reference to the appropriate MCS table and may take a variety of forms (for example, the DCI format, in which search space the DCI communicates, one or more bits in the DCI, in which subframe the DCI is located, the type of control channel the DCI transmits, a resource set index associated with an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) if a UE is configured with two or more resource sets of EPDCCH, a virtual cell ID associated with a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc.). In some examples, the DCI may be configured to reference a legacy MCS table that supports MCS schemes up to 64 QAM. In other examples, the DCI may be configured to reference a non-legacy MCS table that supports MCS schemes up to at least 256 QAM. Consequently, the eNB can send the appropriately configured DCI to the UE to indicate whether 256 QAM is supported while conserving control overhead resources.

Therefore, the following description provides examples, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of analyzed items without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the methods described may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Likewise, features described with respect to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a diagram illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100. Wireless communication system 100 includes base stations (or cells or nodes) 105, user equipment (UE) 115 and a backbone network 130. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "cell", "base station" and "eNB" are used interchangeably. For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "UE" and "mobile device" are used interchangeably.

Base stations 105 may communicate with UEs 115 under the control of a base station controller (not shown), which may be part of core network 130 or base stations 105 in various examples. Base stations 105 may communicate control information or user data with core network 130 via backhaul network 132. In certain instances, base stations 105 may communicate, either directly or indirectly, with each other over time. along backhaul links 134, which may be wired or wireless communication links. Wireless communication system 100 may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). Multi-carrier transmitters can transmit modulated signals simultaneously on multiple carriers. For example, each communications link 125 may be a multi-carrier signal modulated in accordance with the various radio technologies described above. Each modulated signal may be sent on a different carrier and may carry control information (eg reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, data, etc.

Base stations 105 may communicate wirelessly with UEs 115 through one or more base station antennas. Each of the base stations 105 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110 . In some examples, a base station 105 may be referred to as a base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), NodeB, eNodeB (eNB) , Home NodeB, Home eNodeB or some other suitable terminology. The coverage area 110 for a base station 105 can be divided into sectors that constitute only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). Wireless communication system 100 may include base stations 105 of different types (eg, macro, micro, or femto/pico base stations). There may be overlapping coverage areas for different technologies.

In certain examples, wireless communication system 100 is an LTE/LTE-A network. In LTE/LTE-A networks, the term Evolved Node B (eNB) may be used generally to describe one or more of the base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 may be a Heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A network. in which different types of eNB provide coverage for various geographic regions. For example, each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, or other cell types. A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (eg, several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A pico cell would generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell would also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (for example, a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs that have an association with the femto cell (for example, UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for home users, and the like). An eNB for a macro cell can be called a macro eNB. An eNB for a pico cell can be called a pico eNB. And an eNB for a femto cell can be called a femto eNB or a house eNB. An eNB may support one or multiple (eg, two, three, four, and the like) cells.

In one example, an eNB 105 selects among various MCSs to use for a transmission to a UE 115. The selected MCS may be based at least in part on a channel quality indicator (CQI) value reported from the UE 115. eNB 105 can select from various CQI tables to identify the table corresponding to the CQI value received from UE 115. eNB 105 can also select from various MCS tables to identify the table from which an MCS can be identified for a transmission on the downlink or one transmission on the uplink. The selected MCS table may be based at least in part on the CQI value received from the UE 115. The eNB may, in some instances, indicate a reference to a selected MCS table to the UE 115 to be used for uplink transmissions.

In another example, the mode-dependent DCI may be associated with the legacy MCS table or the new MCS table based on the RRC configuration. In addition, a DCI 1A format scheduling PDSCH may be associated with the legacy MCS table if the DCI communicates on a first set of EPDCCH resources, or it may be associated with the new MCS table if the DCI communicates on a first set of EPDCCH resources. a second set of EPDCCH resources.

EPDCCH resource set dependent MCS table determination can be managed jointly or separately for DL and UL transmissions. As an example for joint management, both DCI format 0 and DCI format 1A can be associated with the legacy MCS table and mode-dependent DCIs for both dL and UL programming (for example, the DCI 2D format and DCI 4 format) can be associated with the legacy MCS table if the DCI communicates on a first set of EPDCCH resources. If the DCI communicates on a second set of EPDCCH resources, the mode-dependent DCIs for both DL and UL scheduling (for example, DCI 2D format and DCI 4 format) can be associated with the table of new MCS. As an example for separate management, DCI format 1A can be associated with the legacy MCS and DCI format 0 can be associated with the legacy MCS table if the DCI communicates on a first set of EPDCCH resources. If the DCI communicates on a second set of EPDCCH resources, the DCI format 1A can be associated with the new MCS.

Core network 130 may communicate with base stations 105 via backhaul network 132 (eg, S1, etc.). Base stations 105 may also communicate with each other, directly or indirectly, via backhaul links 134 (eg, X2, etc.) or via backhaul 132 (eg, via backbone 130). ). Wireless communication system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, base stations 105 may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 may be roughly aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, base stations 105 may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be time aligned. The techniques described herein can be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operations.

The communications links 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE 115 to a base station 105, or downlink (DL) transmissions from a base station 105 to a UE 115. Downlink transmissions can also be called forward link transmissions while uplink transmissions can also be called reverse link transmissions.

The UEs 115 are dispersed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary or mobile. A UE 115 may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a mobile device. of wireless communications, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client or some other suitable terminology . A UE 115 can be a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication, a portable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, or the like. A UE 115 may be capable of communicating with macro eNBs, pico eNBs, femto eNBs, relays, and the like. In addition, the UE 115 may be able to select from various MCS tables to identify the MCS that the UE 115 may use for an uplink transmission.

A UE 115 may be configured to receive a DCI from a serving eNB 105 and determine the format for the DCI and the DCI configuration. Based on the determined format and configuration of the DCI, the Ue 115 can identify an MCS table from a set of MCS tables for uplink transmissions. The DCI may include an uplink resource grant for the UE 115 (eg, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) time-frequency resource grant). The DCI configuration or the format for the DCI may be selected to transmit a reference to the MCS table that the UE 115 is to use for uplink transmissions. For example, the DCI may have a DCI format 0 or a DCI format 4, which tells the UE 115, at least to some degree, which MCS table to select. Aspects of the DCI may also be configured to further indicate the MCS table to be selected by the UE 115 for uplink transmissions. Accordingly, the DCI format and configuration may indicate the MCS table to be used by the UE 115 for uplink transmissions in an LTE environment that supports various MCS schemes.

Figure 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design of a wireless communication system 200 including a base station 105-a and a UE 115-a. Wireless communication system 200 may illustrate aspects of wireless communication system 100 of Figure 1. For example, base station 105-a may be an example of one or more base stations 105 in Figure 1. UE 115-a may be an example of one or more UE 115 in Figure 1. Base station 105-a may be equipped with antennas 234-a to 234-x, where x is a positive integer, and UE 115-a may be equipped with antennas 252-a to 252-n, where n is a positive integer. In the wireless communication system 200, the base station 105-a can send data along multiple communication links at the same time. Each communication link can be called a "layer" and the "rank" of the communication link can indicate the number of layers used for communication. For example, in a 2x2 multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) communications system where base station 105 transmits two "layers", the range of the communication link between base station 105-a and UE 115-a is fingers.

At base station 105-a, a transmission processor 220 may receive data from a data source and control information from a controller/processor 240. The control information may be for the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), the channel Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH), Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH), and Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), etc. The transmission processor 220 may process (eg, encode and map to symbols) the data and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols, respectively. Transmission processor 220 may also generate reference symbols and a cell-specific reference signal. A transmit (TX) MIMO processor 230 may perform spatial processing (eg, precoding) on data symbols, control symbols, or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to modulators/ demodulators 232-a to 232-x. Each modulator/demodulator 232 may process a respective output symbol stream (eg, for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator/demodulator 232 may further process (eg, convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink (DL) signal. In one example, DL signals from modulators/demodulators 232-a through 232-x may be transmitted via antennas 234-a through 234-x, respectively.

At UE 115-a, UE antennas 252-a through 252-n may receive the DL signals from base station 105-a and may provide the received signals to modulator(s) 254-a through 254-n, respectively. Each modulator/demodulator 254 may condition (eg, filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each modulator/demodulator 254 may further process input samples (eg, for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 256 may obtain received symbols from all of the modulator(s) 254-a through 254-n, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols, if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 258 may process (eg, demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data to UE 115-a to a data output, and provide decoded control information to a controller/processor 280 or memory. 282.

On the uplink (UL), at UE 115-a, a transmission processor 264 may receive and process data from a data source. Transmission processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal. Symbols from transmit processor 264 may be pre-encoded by MIMO transmit processor 266 if applicable, further processed by modulator/demodulators 254-a to 254-n (eg, for single carrier (SC)-FDMA , etc.) and transmitted to the base station 105-a in accordance with the transmission parameters received from the base station 105-a. At base station 105-a, UL signals from UE 115-a may be received by antennas 234, processed by modulator/demodulators 232, detected by a MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor 238. The receive processor 238 may provide decoded data to a data output and to the controller/processor 240. The components of u E 115-a they may be implemented, individually or collectively, with one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the indicated modules can be a means to perform one or more functions related to the operation of the wireless communication system 200. Similarly, the components of the base station 105-a can be implemented, individually or collectively, with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the indicated components may be a means to perform one or more functions related to the operation of the wireless communication system 200.

In one configuration, UE 115-a includes means for receiving a reference to an MCS table to be used for uplink transmissions and sending the modulated and scrambled uplink transmissions based on the selected MCS table. UE 115-a may also include means for receiving a DCI that includes an uplink grant of resources. The UE 115-a may, for example, include means for determining a DCI configuration as well as the format for the DCI. The UE 115-a may, for example, include means for identifying an MCS table from among a plurality of MCS tables based on the configuration and format for the DCI. UE 115-a may, in another example, include means for sending uplink transmissions that are modulated and encoded according to the identified MCS table. In one aspect, the aforementioned means may be controller/processor 280, memory 282, transmit processor 264, receive processor 258, modulator/demodulators 254, and antennas 252 of UE 115-a configured to perform functions listed above and described in more detail below.

In one configuration, eNB 105-a includes means for configuring DCI to have a DCI format and for transmitting an MCS table reference. In some cases, the DCI format may be predefined. The eNB 105-a may also include means for sending, to the UE 115-a, the DCI, the DCI comprising an uplink grant of resources to the UE 115-a. The eNB 105-a may, for example, include means for receiving, from the UE 115-a, one or more uplink transmissions modulated and encoded according to one of a plurality of MCS tables, the MCS table identified based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI. In one aspect, the aforementioned means may be controller/processor 240, memory 242, transmit processor 224, receive processor 238, modulator/demodulators 232, and antennas 234 of eNB 105-a configured to perform functions listed above and described in more detail below.

Figure 3 shows a diagram 300 of an exemplary downlink MCS table 305, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Downlink MCS table 305 may be an example of a downlink MCS table used for downlink transmissions between a UE 115 and an eNB 105 of Figures 1 or 2. Downlink MCS table 305 may use five bits to represent up to 32 MCS to choose from for downlink transmissions. The MCS table 305 may include transport block size lookup indices as well as the modulation order to use for the corresponding MCS. MCS table 305 may be based on a five-bit MCS and may include a list of MCS indices from 0 to 31. Each index may correspond to at least one modulation scheme to be used for a transmission. In some examples, MCS indices 0-28 may indicate MCS schemes for new transmissions or retransmissions, while indices 29-31 may provide MCS schemes for retransmissions. In addition, each MCS index can be mapped to at least one transport block size (TBS) query index. The TBS query index may indicate a size of a transport block to be transmitted using the corresponding MCS. The correlation between MCS index and TBS index may not be a corresponding one-to-one correlation (eg, MCS index 9 and 10 both correlate with TBS index 9). In the MCS table 305, the modulation order can support up to 64 QAM modulation (ie, modulation order 6). In accordance with various wireless communication standards, downlink MCS tables supporting up to 256 QAM can also be provided.

Figure 4 shows a diagram 400 of an example CQI notification table 405, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. CQI notification table 405 may be received by an eNB 105 from a UE 115 (of Figures 1 or 2) and used to identify a CQI value for a wireless channel. The CQI value can then be used to select a particular MCS to use for a transmission on the wireless channel. CQI report table 405 may represent a CQI value using four bits. A CQI table may include a list of CQI indices corresponding to the 16 possible CQI values (if four bits are used to represent the CQI value). Each CQI index value can be correlated with additional data that can be used to select an MCS.

In LTE version 12, 256 QAM is supported for downlink operations. Therefore, version 12 defines new CQI tables to support channel status information (CSI) feedback with 256 QAM inputs. Release 12 also defines new MCS tables to support PDSCH scheduling with 256 QAM. In addition, new TBS tables are also defined such that larger TBS (and hence higher peak rate) can be supported. 256 QAM support for downlink operations can be motivated by the deployment of small cells where a UE may experience favorable channel conditions.

However, the downlink channel/interference conditions experienced by a UE may be quite different from the uplink channel/interference conditions for the UE. For downlink 256 QAM support, it is reasonable to associate the compact 1A DCI format with the legacy MCS table and rely on the downlink transmission mode dependent DCI to indicate downlink 256 QAM operation. This is because, if a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) supports 256 QAM, it is reasonable to assume that downlink channel conditions are favorable enough that DCI overhead is not a significant concern. As a result, it may be reasonable not to have the DCI 1A format associated with 256 q Am . Instead, the DCI 1A format may be associated with the legacy MCS table to be used for fallback operations (ie, to account for potential ambiguity during 256 QAM reconfiguration). However, if 256 QAM is enabled for uplink, there is no guarantee that downlink channel/interference conditions will be favorable as long as control channel overhead remains not a concern.

Figures 5A and 5b show diagrams 500-a and 500-b of example uplink MCS tables 505 and 510, respectively. Uplink MCS tables 505 and 510 may be examples of multiple m Cs tables described in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. A UE 115 (of Figs. 1 or 2) may identify one of the MCS tables to determine the modulation and coding for uplink transmissions according to various aspects. Identification of the MCS table by the UE 115 may be facilitated by a pointer received from an eNB 105 (from Figures 1 or 2).

In some examples, uplink MCS table 505 may be an example of a legacy MCS table that uses five bits to represent up to 32 MCSs to choose from for uplink transmissions. Uplink MCS table 505 may include transport block size lookup indices as well as the modulation order to use for the corresponding MCS. The correlation between MCS index and TBS index may not be a corresponding one-to-one correlation (eg, MCS index 9 and 10 both correlate with TBS index 9). In the uplink MCS table 505, the modulation order can support up to 64 QAM modulation (ie, modulation order 6). In some examples, the modulation order may be greater than 64 QAM.

Uplink MCS table 510 may be an example of a non-legacy MCS table supporting higher order modulation (eg, modulation order 8 supporting 256 QAM). Uplink MCS table 510 may also use 5 bits to represent up to 32 MCS to choose from for uplink transmissions. At least a portion of uplink MCS table 510 may overlap with at least a portion of uplink MCS table 505 for lower order TBS or modulation indices. Uplink MCS table 510 may be used to support 256 QAM via higher order modulation (eg, modulation order 8). MCS tables 505 and 510 may further include versions of redundancy associated with retransmissions where each subsequent retransmission reduces the effective code rate through incremental redundancy.

Figure 6 shows a diagram 600 conceptually illustrating an example of communications between a UE 115-b and an eNB 105-b, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The UE 115-b may be an example of the UEs 115 described with respect to Figures 1 or 2. The eNB 105-b may be an example of the base stations 105 described with respect to Figures 1 or 2. In general, Figure 6 illustrates a process for indicating uplink MCS to UE 115-b.

At 605, the eNB 105-b may send DCI to the UE 115-b. The eNB 105-b may select a format for the DCI and configure the DCI to transmit a reference to an MCS table for uplink transmissions. In some cases, the DCI format may be predefined. The DCI may include an uplink grant of resources for the UE 115-b to use for uplink transmissions. The DCI may be communicated to the UE 115-b through one or more subframes of a frame on a PDCCH channel. In some examples, the eNB 105-b may select a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format for the DCI to indicate that the d C i is configured, at least in some respects, to support higher order modulation. In other aspects, the eNB 105-b may select a DCI 0 format for the DCI (i.e., DCI 0 format may be associated with a legacy uplink MCS table and a non-legacy uplink MCS table). ). Additionally or alternatively, the eNB 105-b may configure the DCI to transmit a reference to an MCS table to the UE 115-b. For example, the eNB 105-b can configure the DCI by selecting a search space of a PDCCH frame to transmit the reference, selecting one or more bits in the DCI to transmit the reference, selecting a subframe of a PDCCH frame to transmit the reference, selecting a type of control channel (for example, E-PDCCH (Enhanced PDCCH) vs. PDCCH) to transmit the reference, selecting a resource set index associated with EPDCCH if a UE is configured with two or more sets of EPDCCH resources, selecting a virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH, selecting a particular masking code to mask the DCI to transmit the reference, or combinations thereof. In Consequently, the DCI may have a predefined format and configuration for transmitting the reference to an uplink MCS table for the UE 1l5-b.

At 610, the UE 115-b may identify an uplink MCS table based on the DCI. In some examples, the UE 115-b may determine the format for the DCI as well as the DCI configuration (eg, DCI format 0 or 4, UE-specific or common search space, etc.). Based on the format or configuration of the DCI, the Ue 115-b can identify and select an MCS table from among multiple MCS tables for uplink transmissions. For example, the UE 115-b may select an MCS table associated with modulation and coding up to 64 QAM if the DCI is a first predefined format and is configured according to a first configuration. In another example, the UE 115-b may select an MCS table associated with up to at least 256 QAMs if the DCI is a second predefined format and is configured according to a second configuration.

At 615, UE 115-b may send one or more uplink transmissions 620 to eNB 105-b. The uplink transmissions may be modulated and encoded according to the identified uplink MCS table. Uplink transmissions may be modulated and encoded using up to at least 256 QAM, depending on the identified uplink MCS table.

Figure 7 shows a diagram 700 conceptually illustrating an example of communications between a UE 115-c and an eNB 105-c, in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The UE 115-c may be an example of the UEs 115 described with respect to Figures 1, 2 or 6. The eNB 105-c may be an example of the base stations 105 described with respect to Figures 1 or 2 or the eNB 105 described with respect to FIG. 6. In general, FIG. 7 illustrates a process for indicating an uplink MCS reference table for uplink transmissions.

At 705, the eNB 105-c may send DCI to the UE 115-c. The eNB 105-b may select a format for the DCI and configure the DCI to transmit a reference to an MCS table for uplink transmissions. In some cases, the DCI format may be predefined. The DCI may include an uplink grant of resources for the UE 115-b to use for uplink transmissions.

At 710, the UE 115-c may determine a DCI configuration to identify an MCS table reference. In some examples, the UE 115-c may determine whether the DCI format is a DCI format 0 or a DCI format 4 to determine the configuration of the DCI to identify the MCS table reference. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115-c may determine whether the DCI communicates in a common search space or a UE-specific search space to determine the configuration of the d C i to identify the MCS table reference. In accordance with other aspects, the UE 115-c may determine the configuration of the DCI to identify the MCS table reference by determining which subframe of a frame on a PDCCH transmits the DCi, one or more bits in the DCI, what type of control channel (e.g. E-PDCCH vs. PDCCH) transmits the DCI, a resource set index associated with EPDCCH if a UE is configured with two or more EPDCCH resource sets, a virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH , which masking code is used to mask the DCI, or combinations thereof. Consequently, the UE 115-c can determine the configuration of the DCI to identify the MCS table reference. At 715, the UE 115-c may identify an uplink MCS table based on the MCS table reference. In some examples, the UE 115-c may identify and select an MCS table from among multiple MCS tables for uplink transmissions. The UE 115-c may identify the uplink MCS table based on the reference determined based on the DCI configuration. The UE 115-c may select an MCS table associated with up to 64 QAM modulation and coding if a first MCS table reference is identified through the DCI. In another example, the UE 115-c may select an MCS table associated with a modulation and encoding up to at least 256 QAM if a second MCS table reference is identified through the DCI.

At 720, UE 115-c may send one or more uplink transmissions 725 to eNB 105-c. The uplink transmissions may be modulated and encoded according to the identified uplink MCS table. Uplink transmissions may be modulated and encoded using up to at least 256 QAM, depending on the identified uplink MCS table.

Figure 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a device 805 according to various examples. In some examples, device 805 may illustrate aspects of one of the UEs 115 of Figures 1, 2, 6, or 7. Device 805 may include a receiver 810, an MCS table identification module 815, and a transmitter 820. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, either directly or indirectly.

Receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (eg, control channels, data channels, etc.). Receiver 810 can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ receive diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown). Receiver 810 may receive the various channels of information along a primary carrier associated with a primary cell (for example, an eNB 105 of service) and one or more secondary carriers associated with secondary cells. Information may be passed to and from MCS table identification module 815, transmitter 820, and other components of device 805.

Transmitter 820 may transmit one or more signals received from other components of device 805. Transmitter 820 may transmit information along a primary carrier associated with a primary cell and one or more secondary carriers associated with secondary cells. In some examples, transmitter 820 may be co-located with receiver 810 in a transceiver. Transmitter 820 can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ transmit diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown).

The MCS table identification module 815 can manage the identification of one MCS table, among a plurality of MCS tables, for uplink transmissions. In some examples, device 805 may receive DCI from a serving eNB 105 via receiver 810 and MCS table identification module 815 may be configured to parse the DCI to extrapolate an MCS table reference. The MCS table reference may point to one of the MCS tables to be used for uplink transmissions. The MCS table identification module 815 may parse the DCI to determine the MCS table reference by determining a format for the DCI and a configuration of the DCI. The DCI format and DCI configuration can point to a legacy MCS table for uplink transmissions that use lower order modulation (for example, modulation order 6 for 64 QAM) or it can point to a Non-legacy MCS for uplink transmissions that use higher order modulation (for example, modulation order 8 for 256 QAM). MCS table identification module 815 may, alone or in combination with transmitter 820, modulate and encode information for uplink transmissions to be sent to serving eNB 105 or other eNBs.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-legacy MCS table can be designed such that it shares a common set of entries with the legacy MCS table. As an example, an MCS index set {k1, k2, ..., kn} on the non-inherited MCS table has the same definition as the MCS index set {k1, k2, ..., kn} in the legacy MCS table. The MCS index set may not be contiguous indexes. As an example, the set of MCS indices can be {2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, ..., 31}, where each of the MCS indices has the same definition in the legacy MCS table and in the non-legacy MCS table. For example, an MCS index 2 in both the legacy MCS table and the non-legacy MCS table is defined to map to QPSK (modulation order 2), TBS index 2, and redundancy version 0. With this arrangement , a rollback operation can be supported. That is, an eNB can use an MCS index in the set of MCS indexes to communicate with the UE without any ambiguity during radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration.

Figure 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a device 805-a according to various examples. In some examples, device 805-a may illustrate aspects of one of the UEs 115 of Figures 1, 2, 6, or 7, or device 805 of Figure 8. Device 805-a may include a receiver 810-a , an 815-a MCS table identification module and an 820-a transmitter. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, either directly or indirectly.

Receiver 810-a may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (eg, control channels, data channels, etc.). Receiver 810-a can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ receive diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown). Receiver 810-a may receive the various channels of information along a primary carrier associated with a primary cell (eg, a serving eNB 105) and one or more secondary carriers associated with secondary cells. Information can be passed to and from the 815-a MCS table identification module, the 820-a transmitter, and other components of the 805-a device.

Transmitter 820-a may transmit one or more signals received from other components of device 805-a. Transmitter 820-a may transmit information along a primary carrier associated with a primary cell and one or more secondary carriers associated with secondary cells. In some examples, transmitter 820-a may be co-located with receiver 810-a in a transceiver. Transmitter 820-a can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ transmit diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown).

The MCS table identification module 815-a can handle the identification of one MCS table, among a plurality of MCS tables, for uplink transmissions, and comprises a DCI configuration module 910, an MCS table module MCS 915 and an uplink transmission module 920. In some examples, the 805-a device can receive DCI from a serving eNB 105 through the 810-a receiver and the 910 DCI configuration module can be configured to analyze the DCI to extract a table reference from MCS. The MCS table reference may point to one of the MCS tables to be used for uplink transmissions. DCI configuration module 910 may parse the DCI to determine the MCS table reference by determining a format for the DCI and a configuration of the DCI.

In some examples, DCI configuration module 910 may determine whether the DCI format is a DCI format 0 or a DCI format 4 to determine the DCI configuration to identify the MCS table reference. In some examples, a DCI format 0 may be associated with an MCS table that supports at least 256 QAM uplink transmissions over a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). Accordingly, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that if the DCI has a format of DCI format 0, then the MCS table reference points to a non-legacy MCS table that supports higher order modulation. In other aspects, the DCI 0 format can also be associated with legacy MCS tables. DCI configuration module 910 can be configured to analyze other aspects of the DCI configuration to determine the MCS table reference.

In one example, DCI configuration module 910 may determine which search space (or decoding candidate) the DCI communicates in to identify the MCS table reference. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and communicates in a common search space, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and communicates in a UE-specific search space, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and that the transmissions uplink can support 256 QAM.

In one example, DCI configuration module 910 may make a determination from one or more bits in the DCI to identify the MCS table reference. As an example, suppose there is a bit in the DCI to identify the MCS table reference. If the bit in the DCI is 0, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the bit in the DCI is 1, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and that the uplink transmissions can support 256 QAM.

In another example, DCI configuration module 910 may determine in which subframe the DCI communicates to identify the MCS table reference. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and is communicated in a first subframe, the MCS table reference may be associated with a legacy MCS table. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and is communicated in a second subframe, the MCS table reference may be associated with a non-legacy MCS table which may provide support for uplink transmissions of at least 256 QAM.

In another example, DCI configuration module 910 can determine which power control loop is associated with PUSCH transmissions. If two uplink power control loops are used, DCI configuration module 910 can determine if scheduled PUSCH transmissions use the first uplink power control loop and, if so, which table reference The MCS table is associated with an inherited MCS table. If the scheduled PUSCH transmissions use the second power control loop, the DCI configuration module 910 may determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM.

In another example, DCI configuration module 910 may determine a type of control channel used to transmit the DCI. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and communicates on a PDCCH, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and communicates on an EPDCCH, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM.

In another example, DCI configuration module 910 may determine a resource index set for EPDCCH used to transmit the DCI if the UE is configured with two or more EPDCCH resource sets. As an example, a UE can be configured with two sets of EPDCCH resources. If the DCI communicates on the first set of EPDCCH resources, the DCI configuration module 910 may determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the DCI communicates on the second set of EPDCCH resources, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM. Note that EPDCCH resource set dependent MCS table determination may be applicable for all DCI formats. Alternatively, EPDCCH resource set dependent MCS table determination may be applicable for some DCI formats, but not for others. As an example, this may be applicable for the DCI 4 format, but not for the DCI 0 format. Note that, because the two or more EPDCCH resource sets may overlap, there may be some cases where the UE is not sure of the EPDCCH resource set of which it is a DCI. To resolve potential ambiguity in such cases, a default rule can be defined. For example, for such cases, the MCS table reference may be based on the first set of EPDCCH resources. Note also that EPDCCH resource set dependent MCS table determination may be applicable for both downlink and uplink transmissions. As an example, the DCI format 1A may be associated with the legacy MCS table, and the mode-dependent DCI format scheduling PDSCH may be associated with the legacy MCS table if the DCI communicates in a first set of EPDCCH resources, while this may be associated with the new MCS table if the DCI communicates on a second set of EPDCCH resources.

In another example, DCI configuration module 910 may determine a virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH if the UE is configured with two or more virtual cell IDs. As an example, a UE is configured with two virtual cell IDs. If the DCI indicates the first virtual cell ID for the PUSCH, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the DCI indicates the second virtual cell ID for the PUSCH, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM. Note also that the virtual cell ID dependent MCS table determination may be applicable for both downlink and uplink transmissions. As an example, the DCI format 1A may be associated with the legacy MCS table, and the mode-dependent DCI format scheduling PDSCH may be associated with the legacy MCS table if the DCI indicates a first virtual cell ID for PDSCH, while this can be associated with the new MCS table if the DCI indicates a second virtual cell ID for PDSCH.

In another example, DCI configuration module 910 may determine a masking code used to mask the DCI to identify the MCS table reference. If a first masking code is used to mask the DCI, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that an MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If a second masking code is used to mask the DCI, the DCI configuration module 910 can determine that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM.

It is to be understood that other types of DCI format may be used in addition to other configuration parameters described above to transmit the MCS table reference. As an example, DCI format 4 can also be used as a DCI format to, at least in part, configure the DCI to transmit the MCS table reference. Consequently, a support indication for at least 256 QAM can be enabled, while still using the DCI 0 format for fallback operations. For example, such fallback operations can be used in operations where, if there is any ambiguity during radio resource control (RRC) configuration (or reconfiguration) messaging, if at least 256 QAM is supported, the eNB will fall back. it can continue to communicate with the 805-a device in a way that persists before and after the RRC (re)configuration. As an example, if the DCI 0 format communicating in a common search space is associated with the legacy MCS table, and there is ambiguity regarding at least 256 QAM support during RRC configuration, the eNB can be replicated and use the DCI 0 format communicated in a common search space to communicate with the 805-a device.

MCS table module 915 may exchange information with DCI configuration module 910 to identify which of a plurality of MCS tables to use for uplink transmissions. MCS table module 915 may receive the MCS table reference, for example, and identify whether a legacy or non-legacy MCS table is to be used for uplink transmissions.

Uplink transmission module 920 may communicate with DCI configuration module 910, MCS table module 915, or transmitter 820-a, to modulate and encode uplink transmissions according to the MCS table. If the MCS table is a legacy MCS table, the uplink transmission module 920 may modulate and encode the uplink transmissions up to a modulation order of 6. If the MCS table is a non-legacy MCS table, uplink transmission module 920 can modulate and encode uplink transmissions to a modulation order of at least 8.

In accordance with still other aspects, the DCI configuration module 910, the MCS table module 915 or the uplink transmission module 920 may be configured, individually or collectively, to identify or determine a parameter associated with the control of power for uplink transmissions on the PUSCH. For example, for legacy MCS tables, power control for uplink transmissions on the PUSCH may be MCS-based, where a power offset setting for a UE may be MCS-specific. For example, the power offset can be determined based on a Bit Per Resource Element (BPRE). The BPRE generally reflects the uplink spectral efficiency, a fixed parameter Ks when data is communicated on the PUSCH. A formula that defines such a power displacement can be:

A tf, ^c ( í) = 10 lo g 10 ( 2 BPRE*Ks - i )

where Atf,c ( ¡) is the power displacement and Ks is the fixed parameter. The modules mentioned above can be configured to identify that, when the MCS table identified for uplink transmissions is a legacy MCS table, the fixed parameter can be 1.25. However, if the MCS table identified for uplink transmissions is a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM, a different fixed parameter may be selected or identified that is associated with such higher order modulation (i.e., accounts for the spectral efficiency offered by at least 256 QAM).

In accordance with yet another aspect, DCI configuration module 910, MCS table module 915, or uplink transmission module 920 may be configured, individually or collectively, to identify or determine an offset associated with configuration information. uplink control (UCI) that is communicates via PUSCH. In general, when the UCI communicates via PUSCH, the amount of resources allocated for UCI can be associated with PUSCH parameters and a semi-static offset that is configured for the UE regardless of the hybrid auto-request acknowledgment (ACK). of HARQ), the range indicator (RI), the CQI, respectively. Typically, the semi-static displacement is independent of the MCS indices. When the MCS table is a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM, the aforementioned modules may determine or identify a separate set of offsets for at least some UCI types. These new offsets can be defined for the non-legacy MCS table or defined for MCS entries mapped to at least 256 QAM.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a CQI table reference may be associated with the DCI configuration module 910. In general, for aperiodic channel status information (CSI) feedback, the DCI configuration may transmit reference to the appropriate CQI table and can take a variety of forms (for example, the DCI format, in which search space the DCI is communicated, one or more bits in the DCI, in which subframe the DCI is located, the type of control channel that the DCI transmits, a resource set index associated with EPDCCH if a UE is configured with two or more EPDCCH resource sets, etc.). In some examples, the DCI may be configured to reference a legacy CQI table that supports c Q i schemes up to 64 QAM. In other examples, the DCI may be configured to reference a non-legacy CQI table that supports CQI schemes up to at least 256 QAM. Consequently, the eNB can send the appropriately configured DCI to the UE to indicate whether 256 QAM is supported while conserving control overhead resources.

Figure 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of an apparatus 1005 according to various examples. Handset 1005 can be in any of a variety of configurations, such as a computer (eg, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, etc.), cellular phone, pDa, mobile phone, etc. smart phone, a digital video recorder (DVR), an internet device, a game console, an e-reader, etc. Apparatus 1005 may have an internal power source (not shown), such as a small battery, to facilitate mobile operation. In some examples, apparatus 1005 may be an example of one of the UEs 115 of Figures 1, 2, 6, or 7 or devices 805 of Figures 8 or 9.

Apparatus 1005 may generally include components for two-way voice or data communication and may include a processor 1010, memory 1015, transceiver 1020, at least one antenna 1025, and MCS table identification module 815-b. MCS table identification module 815-b may be an example of one or more aspects of the MCS table identification modules 815 of Figures 8 or 9. Some or all of these components may communicate with other components. , directly or indirectly, along one or more 1045 buses.

Transceiver 1020 may be coupled (e.g., connected) to antenna 1025. Transceiver 1020 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally with one or more other devices via antenna 1025, and may include a modem configured to modulate/demodulate packets. transmitted/received via antenna 1025. Devices with which transceiver 1020 communicates may include access points (e.g., LTE eNBs, wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs), etc. .), some 805 devices or some UE 115.

The 815-b MCS Table Identification module can be configured to identify an MCS table to use for uplink transmissions. In general, the MCS table identification module 815-b can be configured to receive a DCI, determine a format for the DCI, and configure for the DCI to identify an MCS table reference. Based on the MCS table reference, the MCS table identification module 815-b can select or identify an MCS table from a plurality of MCS tables. The identified MCS table may be a first MCS table supporting legacy modulation orders up to 6 or a second MCS table supporting up to at least 8 modulation orders.

Memory 1015 may include random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM). Memory 1015 may store computer-executable and computer-readable software code (SW) 1035 containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause processor 1010 or MCS table identification module 815-b to perform one or more of the functions described herein to identify an MCS table to use for uplink transmissions in LTE. Alternatively, software code 1035 may not be directly executable by processor 1010, but instead be configured to cause apparatus 1005 (for example, when compiled and executed) to perform one or more of the functions described herein. .

Processor 1010 may include an intelligent hardware device, eg, a CPU, microcontroller, ASIC, and the like. Processor 1010 may process information received via transceiver 1020 from antenna 1025, and may also process information to be transmitted from antenna 1025 via transceiver 1020. Processor 1010 may handle, alone or in connection with one or all of the code software 1035 and MCS table identification module 815-b, various aspects of MCS table identification management in apparatus 1005 as described above.

The components of apparatus 1005 may be implemented, individually or collectively, using one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), in one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, FPGAs, and other Semi-Custom ICs) may be used, which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embedded in memory, formatted for execution by one or more general or application-specific processors.

Figure 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 according to various examples. In some examples, device 1105 may illustrate aspects of one of the eNBs 105 of Figures 1, 2, 6, or 7. Device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, an MCS indicating module 1115, and a transmitter 1120. Each One of these components may be in communication with each other, either directly or indirectly.

The components of device 1105 may be implemented, individually or collectively, using one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), in one or more integrated circuits. In other examples, other types of integrated circuits (eg, structured/platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs) may be used, which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embedded in memory, formatted for execution by one or more general or application-specific processors.

Receiver 1110 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (eg, control channels, data channels, etc.). Receiver 1110 can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ receive diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown). In some examples, the radio frequency spectrum may be used for LTE/LTE-A communications, as described, for example, with reference to either Figure 1 or 2. Receiver 1110 may be used to receive various types of data. or control signals (i.e., transmissions) along one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links 125 of wireless communication system 100 or 200 described with reference to figures 1 or 2, respectively. Examples of the types of data or control signals received by receiver 1110 include uplink transmission via one or the other of PUCCH and PUSCH. Information may be passed to and from the MCS indicating module 1115, transmitter 1120, and other components of the device 1105.

Transmitter 1120 may transmit one or more signals received from other components of device 1105. Transmitter 1120 may transmit information along a primary carrier associated with a primary cell and one or more secondary carriers associated with secondary cells. In some examples, transmitter 1120 may be co-located with receiver 1110 in a transceiver. Transmitter 1120 can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ transmit diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown). Transmitter 1120 may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links 125 of the wireless communication system. wireless communication device 100 or 200 described with reference to Figures 1 or 2, respectively.

The MCS indication module 1115 may manage the indication of an MCS table for uplink transmissions. In some examples, device 1105 may send DCI via transmitter 1120 and MCS indicating module 1115 may be configured to indicate an MCS table reference by determining a format and configuration for the DCI. The MCS table reference may point to one of the MCS tables to be used for uplink transmissions. The MCS indication module 1115 can determine if at least 256 QAM is supported for uplink communications and, if so, configure the DCI to indicate that at least 256 QAM is supported. The DCI format and DCI configuration may provide for an MCS table reference pointing to a legacy MCS table for uplink transmissions using lower order modulation (for example, modulation order 6 for 64 QAM ) or it can point to a non-legacy MCS table for uplink transmissions that use higher order modulation (for example, modulation order 8 for 256 QAM). MCS indication module 1115 may, alone or in combination with transmitter 1120, send the DCI to a UE along with an uplink resource grant for uplink transmissions on the PUSCH.

Figure 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a device 1105-a according to various examples. In some examples, device 1105-a may illustrate aspects of one of the eNBs 105 of Figures 1, 2, 6, or 7, or device 1105 of Figure 11. Device 1105-a may include a receiver 1110-a , an MCS 1115-a indicating module and a 1120-a transmitter. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, either directly or indirectly.

Receiver 1110-a may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (eg, control channels, data channels, etc.). Receiver 1110-a can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ receive diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown). In some examples, the radio frequency spectrum may be used for LTE/LTE-A communications, as described, for example, with reference to either Figure 1 or 2. Receiver 1110-a may be used to receive various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links 125 of wireless communication system 100 or 200 described with reference to Figures 1 or 2, respectively. Examples of the types of data or control signals received by receiver 1110-a include uplink transmission via one or the other of PUCCH and PUSCH. Information can be passed to and from the MCS indicating module 1115-a, transmitter 1120-a, and other components of the device 1105-a.

Transmitter 1120-a may transmit one or more signals received from other components of device 1105-a. Transmitter 1120-a may transmit information along a primary carrier associated with a primary cell and one or more secondary carriers associated with secondary cells. In some examples, transmitter 1120-a may be co-located with receiver 1110-a in a transceiver. Transmitter 1120-a can be configured to operate using a single antenna, or it can be configured to employ transmit diversity techniques using a plurality of antennas (not shown). Transmitter 1120-a may be used to transmit various types of data or control signals (i.e., transmissions) over one or more communication links of a wireless communication system, such as one or more communication links 125 of the wireless communication system 100 or 200 described with reference to Figures 1 or 2, respectively.

The MCS indication module 1115-a may manage the indication of an MCS table, among a plurality of MCS tables, for uplink transmissions and may comprise an uplink MCS determination module 1210, an MCS determination module DCI selection 1215 and an MCS indication configuration module 1220. In some examples, device 1105-a may send d C i to a UE 115 via transmitter 1120-a. Uplink MCS determination module 1210 may be configured to determine which MCS can be supported for uplink transmissions. In some examples, the uplink MCS determination module 1210 may receive one or more CQI values in a CQI notification from the UE and, based on the value of c Q i, select an MCS that the communication channel of uplink can support. The uplink communication channel may be PUSCH and, depending on channel conditions, may support legacy or non-legacy MCS. The uplink MCS determination module may select an MCS for uplink transmission accordingly and output information to the DCI selection module 1215, the MCS indication configuration module 1220 or the transmitter 1120-a.

The DCI selection module can be configured to select a DCI based, at least in part, on the configuration for the UE, channel conditions, etc. DCI selection module 1215 may be configured to select a format for the DCI based on the MCS table determined by uplink MCS determination module 1210. In some cases, the DCI format may be predefined. In some examples, the format for the DCI may, at least in some respects, provide a reference to which MCS table the UE may use for uplink transmissions. In other examples described below, the DCI format may provide an indication of a reference to the MCS table, as well as support fallback operations to provide protection against RRC configuration errors.

The 1220 MCS Indication Configuration Module can be configured to send the configured DCI to pass the reference to the MCS table. The MCS table reference may point to one of the MCS tables to be used for uplink transmissions.

In some examples, the MCS pointer configuration module 1220 may determine whether the DCI format is a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format to configure the DCI to point to the MCS table reference. In some examples, a DCI format 0 may be associated with an MCS table that supports at least 256 QAM uplink transmissions over a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). Consequently, the MCS indication configuration module 1220 can determine that the DCI is to have a predefined format of DCI format 0 such that the MCS table reference points to a non-legacy MCS table that supports a modulation. higher order. In other aspects, the DCI 0 format can also be associated with legacy MCS tables. The MCS Indication Configuration Module 1220 can be configured to manage other aspects of the DCI configuration to indicate the MCS table reference.

In one example, the MCS indication configuration module 1220 may select a search space (or decoding candidate) in which the DCI is to be communicated to indicate the MCS table reference. The MCS indication configuration module 1220 may select a DCI format 0 and that the DCI is to be communicated in a common search space to indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. The MCS indication configuration module 1220 may select a DCI format of 0 and that the DCI is to be communicated in a UE-specific search space to indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a table of m Cs not legacy and supports at least 256 QAM.

In another example, the MCS indication configuration module 1220 may indicate the MCS table reference by managing in which subframe the DCI is communicated. The MCS indication configuration module 1220 may select a DCI format of 0 and that the DCI is to be communicated in a first subframe to indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. The MCS indication configuration module 1220 may select a DCI format of 0 and that the DCI is to be communicated in a second subframe to indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256QAM.

In another example, MCS indication configuration module 1220 may indicate the MCS table reference by managing which power control loop is associated with PUSCH transmissions. If two uplink power control loops are used, the MCS indication configuration module 1220 can indicate the MCS table reference, if the scheduled PUSCH transmission uses the first uplink power control loop, by managing that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the scheduled PUSCH transmissions use the second power control loop, the MCS indication configuration module 1220 may indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM.

In another example, MCS indication configuration module 1220 may indicate the MCS table reference by managing a type of control channel used to transmit the DCI. MCS indication configuration module 1220 may control that the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and communicates on a PDCCH to indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. If the DCI has a format of DCI 0 and communicates on an EPDCCH, the MCS Indication Configuration Module 1220 may indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM.

In another example, MCS indication configuration module 1220 may indicate the MCS table reference by controlling which masking code is used to mask the DCI. The MCS indication configuration module 1220 may use a first masking code to mask the DCI to indicate that an MCS table reference is associated with a legacy MCS table. MCS indication configuration module 1220 may use a second masking code to mask the DCI to indicate that the MCS table reference is associated with a non-legacy MCS table and supports at least 256 QAM.

It is to be understood that other types of DCI format may be used in addition to other configuration parameters described above to transmit the MCS table reference. As an example, DCI format 4 can also be used as a DCI format to, at least in part, carry the MCS table reference in the DCI. Figure 13 shows a block diagram 1300 of an apparatus 1305 for use in wireless communication, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, apparatus 1305 may be exemplary of aspects of one or more of the base stations 105 described with reference to either Figures 1 or 2 or aspects of one or more of the eNBs 105 described with reference to Figures 6 or 7, or aspects of one or more of the devices 1105 described with reference to FIGS. 11 or 12. Apparatus 1305 may be configured to implement or facilitate at least some of the base station or apparatus features and functions described in FIG. this document.

Apparatus 1305 may include a processor module 1310, a memory module 1320, at least one transceiver module (represented by transceiver module(s) 1350), at least one antenna (represented by antenna(s) 1355), or a MCS 1115-b display module. The apparatus 1305 may also include one or more of a communications module 1330 or a network communications module 1340. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, directly or indirectly, along one or more buses 1335.

Memory module 1320 may include RAM or ROM. Memory module 1320 may store computer-executable and computer-readable software code 1325 containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause processor module 1310 to perform various communication-related functions described herein. wireless or with the indication of MCS. Alternatively, computer-executable software code 1325 may not be directly executable by UE processor module 1310, but instead be configured to cause apparatus 1305 (eg, when compiled and executed) to perform various of the functions described in this document.

Processor module 1310 may include an intelligent hardware device (eg, central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, ASIC, etc.). Processor module 1310 may process information received via transceiver module(s) 1350, communications module 1330, or network communications module 1340. Processor module 1310 may also process information to be sent to transceiver module(s). 1350 for transmission via antenna(s) 1355, to communications module 1330, for transmission to one or more other base stations 105-g and 105-h, or to network communications module 1340, for transmission to a core network 130-a, which may be an example of one or more aspects of the core network 130 described with reference to FIG. 1. Processor module 1310 may handle, alone or in connection with the MCS 1115-b indicating module, various aspects of communication over a radio frequency spectrum.

Transceiver module(s) 1350 may include a modem configured to modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to antenna(s) 1355 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from antenna(s) 1355. Transceiver module(s) 1350 are they may be implemented, in some examples, as one or more transmitter modules and one or more separate receiver modules. Transceiver module(s) 1350 may support communications using one or more radio access technologies. Transceiver module(s) 1350 may be configured to communicate bidirectionally, via antenna(s) 1355, with one or more UEs or appliances, such as one or more of the UEs 115 described with reference to any of Figures 1, 2, 6, or 7, or one or more of the devices 805 configured as a UE, as described with reference to Figures 8 or 9. Apparatus 1305 may, for example, include multiple antennas 1355 (for example, an array of antennae). Handset 1305 can communicate with the core network 130-a through the network communications module 1340. Handset 1305 can also communicate with base stations, such as base stations 105-g and 105-h, using the communications module 1330.

The 1115-b MCS Indication Module can be configured to perform or manage some or all of the features or functions described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, or 12 related to MCS Indication. The MCS 1115-b indicating module, or portions thereof, may include a processor, or some or all of the functions of the MCS 1115-b indicating module may be performed by the processor module 1310 or in connection with the module. processor module 1310. In some examples, the MCS indication module 1115-b may be an example of the MCS indication module 1115 described with reference to FIGS. 11 or 12.

Figure 14 illustrates an example method 1400 of indicating MCS, according to various examples. Method 1400 can be performed using, for example, one of the UEs 115 of Figure 1, 2, 6, or 7, the devices 805 of Figure 8 or 9, or the apparatus 1005 of Figure 10.

At block 1405, a UE receives downlink control information (DCI) comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE, the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a schema table reference modulation - coding (MCS). In some examples, the DCI format may be predefined. The UE may receive the DCI from a serving base station. The DCI can be configured in a variety of ways to convey the reference to the MCS table. In some examples, the DCI may be configured such that the DCI format carries the reference. In other examples, the format of the DCI, along with other configuration parameters, may convey the reference to the MCS table. At block 1410, the UE identifies one of a plurality of MCS tables based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, where the MCS table defines the modulation and encoding to be used for the transmissions. of UL in the resources granted in the UL concession. The UE may identify a legacy MCS table or a non-legacy MCS table based on the MCS table reference. An inherited table may be associated with a lower order modulation (for example, modulation order 6). The non-inherited table may be associated with a higher order modulation (eg, modulation order 8).

At block 1415, one or more uplink transmissions are sent modulated and encoded according to the identified MCS table. Uplink transmissions may be sent using the resource uplink grant included in the DCI and may be sent on the PUSCH. In some examples, the uplink transmissions may include a UCI configured, at least in some respects, in accordance with the identified MCS table. In some examples, the transmit power offset of the uplink transmissions may be determined, at least in some respects, in accordance with the identified MCS table.

Figure 15 illustrates an example method 1500 of indicating MCS, according to various examples. Method 1500 can be performed using, for example, one of the UEs 115 of Figure 1, 2, 6, or 7, the devices 805 of Figure 8 or 9, or the apparatus 1005 of Figure 10.

At block 1505, a UE receives downlink control information (DCI) comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE, the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a schema table reference modulation - coding (MCS). The DCI may receive the DCI from a serving base station. The DCI can be configured in a variety of ways to convey the reference to the MCS table.

At block 1510, the UE determines the DCI configuration and the DCI format format. In some examples, the DCI may be configured such that the DCI format carries the reference. For example, a DCI that has a predefined format of DCI format 0 (or 4) can be associated with a non-inherited table of m Cs. In other examples, the DCI format may be associated with legacy and non-legacy MCS tables, and the DCI format, along with other configuration parameters, may convey the reference to the MCS table. For example, the UE may identify a search space on which the DCI communicates, one or more bits in the DCI, a type of control channel on which the DCI communicates, a resource set index associated with EPDCCH if a UE is configured with two or more sets of EPDCCH resources, a masking code with which the DCI is masked, etc., to determine the DCI configuration and the DCI format.

At block 1515, the UE identifies an MCS table. The identified MCS table may be one of a plurality of MCS tables and may be identified based on the m Cs table reference transmitted in the DCI. The MCS table may define the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in the UL grant. The UE may identify a legacy MCS table or a non-legacy MCS table based on the MCS table reference. At block 1520, a determination is made as to whether a legacy or a non-legacy MCS table has been identified. If a legacy table has been identified, the method 1500 can be moved to block 1525 where the information for uplink transmission can be modulated and encoded with up to 64 QAM. If a non-legacy MCS table has been identified, the method 1500 can be moved to block 1530 where the information for uplink transmission can be modulated and encoded with up to at least 256 QAM. At block 1535, the modulated and scrambled information is sent in uplink transmissions. Uplink transmissions may be sent using the resource uplink grant included in the DCI and may be sent on the PUSCH.

Figure 16 illustrates an example method 1600 of indicating MCS, according to various examples. Method 1600 can be performed using, for example, one of the eNBs 105 of Figure 1, 2, 6, or 7, the devices 1105 of Figure 11 or 12, or the apparatus 1305 of Figure 13.

At block 1605, the DCI is configured to have a DCI format and to transmit an MCS table reference. In some cases, the DCI format may be predefined. The DCI can be configured in a variety of ways to convey the reference to the MCS table. In some examples, the DCI may be configured such that the DCI format carries the reference. In other examples, the format of the DCI, along with other configuration parameters, convey the reference to the MCS table. At block 1610, the DCI is sent to a UE, the DCI comprising an uplink grant of resources to the UE. The UE may determine the reference to the MCS table transmitted in the DCI and identify an MCS table based on the reference. The MCS table may define the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in the UL grant. The UE may identify a legacy MCS table or a non-legacy MCS table based on the MCS table reference. An inherited table may be associated with a lower order modulation (for example, modulation order 6). The non-inherited table may be associated with a higher order modulation (eg, modulation order 8). The UE may modulate and encode information to be sent in uplink transmissions based on the identified MCS table.

At block 1615, one or more uplink transmissions are received from the UE, the uplink transmissions are modulated and encoded according to the identified MCS table from among a plurality of identified MCS tables based on the reference of mcs table. Uplink transmissions may be received on resources provided in the uplink grant included in the DCI.

Additional examples of the above principles and methods are described as follows. For example, a wireless communications method may include: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information (DCI) comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE, the DCI having a DCI format and configured to transmit a Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) table reference; identify an MCS table from among a plurality of MCS tables based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table defines the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in UL award; and sending one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to the MCS table.

In some aspects, the DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a type of control channel on which the DCI communicates. The method may include selecting a first MCS table based on the DCI that is communicated in a PDCCH frame and selecting a second MCS table based on the DCI that is communicated in an EPDCCH frame. The DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a masking code used to mask the DCI. The method may include DCI masked with a first masking code associated with a first MCS table, and DCI masked with a second masking code associated with a second MCS table.

In some aspects, the method may include determining an uplink control information (UCI) offset parameter associated with the identified MCS table, wherein a first UCI offset parameter is associated with an associated first MCS table and a second UCI offset parameter is associated with a second MCS table. The method may include determining a number of resource elements to multiplex the ICU with at least one of the one or more UL transmissions based on the ICU offset parameter. The ICU may include one or more of a Hybrid Automatic Request Repeat Acknowledgment (HARQ ACK), a Range Indicator (RI), and a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI). The identified MCS table may be a non-legacy MCS table associated with a quadrature amplitude modulation up to 256 and the method may include receiving an indication of a quadrature amplitude modulation up to 256 for downlink (DL) transmissions, the DL transmission indication being independent of the DCI.

In another set of illustrative examples, an apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions that are executable by the processor. The instructions may be executable to: receive, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information (DCI) comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE, the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) table reference; identify an MCS table from among a plurality of MCS tables based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table defines the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in UL award; and sending one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to the MCS table.

In some examples, the instructions may be executable to select a first MCS table based on the DCI that is included in a first subframe of the PDCCH frame and to select a second MCS table based on the DCI that is included in the second subframe. subframe of the PDCCH frame. In some aspects, the instructions may be executable to receive a configuration of two or more EPDCCH resource sets, and select a first MCS table based on the DCI that is communicated in a first EPDCCH resource set, and select a second table. of MCS based on the DCI that communicates on the second set of EPDCCH resources.

In some aspects, the DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a type of control channel on which the DCI communicates. The instructions may be executable to select a first MCS table based on the DCI communicated in a PDCCH frame and select a second MCS table based on the DCI communicated in an EPDCCH frame. The DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a masking code used to mask the DCI. The DCI may be masked with a first masking code associated with a first MCS table, and the DCI may be masked with a second masking code associated with a second MCS table.

In another set of illustrative examples, an apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus may include: means for receiving, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information (DCI) comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE, the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) table reference; means for identifying an MCS table from among a plurality of MCS tables based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table defines the modulation and coding to be used for the UL transmissions in the resources granted in the UL grant; and means for sending one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to the MCS table.

In some aspects, the DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on which subframe of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) the DCI communicates. The apparatus may include means for selecting a first MCS table based on the DCI that is included in a first subframe of the PDCCH frame and for selecting a second MCS table based on the DCI that is included in the second subframe of the PDCCH. . The DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a masking code used to mask the DCI. The DCI masked with a first masking code may be associated with a first MCS table, and the DCI masked with a second masking code may be associated with a second MCS table.

The apparatus may include means for determining an uplink control information (UCI) offset parameter associated with the identified MCS table, wherein a first UCI offset parameter may be associated with an associated first MCS table and a second UCI offset parameter may be associated with a second MCS table.

In some aspects, the apparatus may include means for determining a number of resource elements to multiplex the ICU with at least one of the one or more UL transmissions based on the ICU offset parameter. The ICU may include at least one of a Hybrid Automatic Request Repeat Acknowledgment (HARQ ACK), a Range Indicator (RI), or a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI). The identified MCS table may be a non-legacy MCS table associated with up to 256 quadrature amplitude modulation and the apparatus may include means for receiving an indication of up to 256 quadrature amplitude modulation for downlink (DL) transmissions. ), the DL transmission indication being DCI independent.

In another set of illustrative examples, a non-transient computer-readable medium for wireless communications stores instructions executable by a processor to: receive, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information (DCI) comprising a grant of resource uplink (UL) to the UE, the DCI having a DCI format and configured to transmit a Modulation-Coding Scheme (MCS) table reference; identify an MCS table from a plurality of MCS tables based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table defines the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in the UL grant; and sending one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to the MCS table.

In some aspects, the plurality of MCS tables may include at least one legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a first order and a non-legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, in where the second order is higher than the first order. The DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a search space of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on which the DCI communicates. The instructions may be executable to determine whether the DCI is included in a common search space of the PDCCH frame or a UE-specific search space of the PDCCH frame. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for selecting a first MCS table based on the DCI that is included in the common search space of the PDCCH frame and for selecting a second MCS table based on the DCI that is included in the PDCCH frame. included in the UE-specific search space of the PDCCH frame.

In some aspects, the DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on which subframe of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) the DCI communicates. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for selecting a first MCS table based on the DCI that is included in a first subframe of the PDCCH frame and selecting a second MCS table based on the DCI that is included in the subframe. second subframe of the PDCCH frame. The DCI format may be one or more of a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format.

In some aspects, the DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a type of control channel on which the d C i communicates. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions to select a first MCS table based on the DCI communicated in a PDCCH frame and select a second MCS table based on the DCI communicated in an EPDCCH frame. The DCI may transmit the MCS table reference based on a masking code used to mask the DCI. The DCI masked with a first masking code may be associated with a first MCS table, and the DCI masked with a second masking code may be associated with a second MCS table. The executable instructions to identify the MCS table may be executable to identify an MCS table index and determine an entry of a first MCS table or a second MCS table based on the MCS table index, wherein the first MCS table and the second MCS table share one or more common entries.

In some aspects, the instructions for identifying the MCS table may be executable to identify one or more bits in the DCI and select an MCS table from among the plurality of MCS tables based on the one or more identified bits. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for determining a power offset parameter associated with the identified MCS table, wherein a first power offset parameter is associated with a first MCS table and a second offset parameter power is associated with a second MCS table. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for determining a transmission power for at least one of the one or more UL transmissions based on the power offset parameter.

In some aspects, the non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for receiving a configuration of two or more EPDCCH resource sets, and selecting a first MCS table based on the DCI that is communicated in a first EPDCCH resource set. EPDCCH and selecting a second MCS table based on the DCI that is communicated on the second set of EPDCCH resources.

In some aspects, the non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for determining an uplink control information (UCI) offset parameter associated with the identified MCS table, wherein a first UCI offset parameter is associated with a first associated MCS table and a second UCI offset parameter is associated with a second MCS table. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include executable instructions for determining a number of resource elements to multiplex the ICU with at least one of the one or more UL transmissions based on the ICU offset parameter. The ICU may include at least one of a Hybrid Automatic Request Repeat Acknowledgment (HARQ ACK), a Range Indicator (RI), or a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI). The identified MCS table may be a non-legacy MCS table associated with up to 256 quadrature amplitude modulation and the instructions may be executable to receive an indication of up to 256 quadrature amplitude modulation for downlink (DL) transmissions. , the DL transmission indication being DCI independent.

In another set of illustrative examples, a method of wireless communications is described. The method may include: configuring downlink control information (DCI) to be in DCI format and to transmit a modulation-coding scheme (MCS) table reference; sending, to a user equipment (UE), the DCI, the DCI comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE; and receive, from the UE, a one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to one of a plurality of MCS tables, the MCS table identified based on the transmitted MCS table reference in the DCI.

In some aspects, configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS may include one or more of identifying a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space to communicate the DCI thereon, identifying in which subframe of the PDCCH to communicate the DCI, or identify a masking code to use to mask the DCI. The DCI format may be one or more of a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format. Configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS table reference instructs the UE to identify one or more of the legacy MCS tables associated with modulation quadrature amplitude modulation up to a first order or a non-legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, where the second order is higher than the first order.

In another set of illustrative examples, an apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions that are executable by the processor. The instructions may be executable to: configure downlink control information (DCI) to be in DCI format and to transmit a modulation-coding scheme (MCS) table reference; sending, to a user equipment (UE), the DCI, the DCI comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE; and receiving, from the UE, one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to one of a plurality of MCS tables, the MCS table identified based on the transmitted MCS table reference in the DCI.

In some aspects, the executable instructions for configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS may include one or more executable instructions for identifying a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space for communicating the DCI therein, identifying in which PDCCH subframe to communicate the DCI, or identify a masking code to use to mask the DCI. The DCI format may be one or more of a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format. The executable instructions for configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS table reference direct the UE to identify one or more than one MCS table legacy associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a first order or a non-legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, where the second order is higher than the first order.

In another set of illustrative examples, an apparatus for wireless communications is described. The apparatus may include: means for configuring downlink control information (DCI) to be in DCI format and for transmitting a modulation-coding scheme (MCS) table reference; means for sending, to a user equipment (UE), the DCI, the DCI comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE; and means for receiving, from the UE, one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to an MCS table of a plurality of MCS tables, the MCS table identified based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI.

In some aspects, the means for configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS may include one or more means for identifying a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space for communicating the DCI therein, a means for identifying in which subframe of the PDCCH to communicate the DCI, or means for identifying a masking code to be used to mask the DCI. The DCI format may be one or more of a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format. The means for configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS table reference directs the UE to identify one or more of the legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a first order or a non-legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, wherein the second order is higher than the first order.

In another set of illustrative examples, a non-transient computer readable medium for wireless communications is described. The non-transient computer-readable medium may include a non-transient computer-readable medium that stores instructions executable by a processor. The instructions may be executable by the processor to: configure downlink control information (DCI) to be in DCI format and to transmit a modulation-coding scheme (MCS) table reference; sending, to a user equipment (UE), the DCI, the DCI comprising an uplink (UL) grant of resources to the UE; and receiving, from the UE, one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to one of a plurality of MCS tables, the MCS table identified based on the transmitted MCS table reference in the DCI.

In some aspects, the executable instructions for configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS may include one or more executable instructions for identifying a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space for communicating the DCI thereon, instructions executables to identify in which subframe of the PDCCH to communicate the DCI, or executable instructions to identify a masking code to be used to mask the DCI. The DCI format may be one or more of a DCI 0 format or a DCI 4 format. The executable instructions for configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS table reference direct the UE to identify one or more than one MCS table inherited associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a first order or a table of non-legacy MCS associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, where the second order is higher than the first order.

The techniques described herein can be used for various wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers the IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Versions 0 and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 IX, IX, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Speed Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA system can implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. . UTRA and E-UTRA are part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A) are new versions of UMTS using E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A and GSM are described in documents from an organization called "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization called "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein can be used for the aforementioned radio technologies and systems, as well as other radio technologies and systems. For clarity, the description above describes LTE, WLAN, and BT systems for example purposes, and corresponding terminology is used throughout much of the description above, although the techniques are applicable beyond these applications.

The detailed description set forth above, in connection with the accompanying drawings, describes illustrative examples and does not represent the only examples that can be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term "illustrative" used throughout this description means "serving as an example, case, or illustration" and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details in order to provide an understanding of the techniques described. However, these techniques can be implemented without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid cluttering the concepts of the examples described.

Information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and segments that may be referred to throughout the foregoing description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic particles or fields, particles or magnetic fields. optics or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative logic blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or realized with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete or transistor gate logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, physical wiring, or combinations of any of these. Features that implement functions may also be physically located in various locations, including arranging such that portions of the functions are implemented in different physical locations. As used herein, including in the claims, the expression "and/or", when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the items listed may be used by itself, or that any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B and C in combination. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items preceded by an expression such as "at least one of" or "one or more than") indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or a Bc (i.e., A and B and C).

Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any media that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transient computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other media that can be used to carry or store desired program code media in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Likewise, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Magnetic disk and optical disk, as used herein, include compact disk (CD), laser disk, optical disk, digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disk, wherein magnetic disks typically play data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the foregoing are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

The foregoing description of the disclosure is provided to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure, the term "example" or "illustrative" indicates an example or case and does not imply or require any preference for the indicated example. Therefore, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be given the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims (10)

1. A method of wireless communications, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, (115), downlink control information, DCI, comprising an uplink grant, UL, of resources to the UE (115), the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a Modulation-Coding Scheme, MCS, table reference; identify an MCS table (505, 510) from among a plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table reference indicates which of the MCS table plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) are to be used and wherein the MCS table (505, 510) defines the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in the UL grant, and wherein an MCS table determination for UL is managed separately from the MCS table determination for downlink; Y sending one or more modulated and encoded UL transmissions according to the MCS table (505, 510); wherein the UE identifies the MCS table reference (505, 510) based on at least the DCI format together with a DCI configuration, where the configuration includes one or more than one selected control channel type from among PDCCH and E-PDCCH, a selected virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH, or a configuration whose power control loop is associated with PUSCH transmissions. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) comprises at least one legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation down to first order and one non-legacy MCS table associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, where the second order is higher than the first order. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determine a power offset parameter associated with the identified MCS table (505, 510), wherein a first power offset parameter is associated with a first MCS table (505, 510) and a second power offset parameter it is associated with a second MCS table (505, 510). The method of claim 3, further comprising determining a transmission power for at least one of the one or more UL transmissions based on the power offset parameter. 5. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising: means for receiving, by a user equipment, UE, (115), downlink control information, DCI, comprising an uplink grant, UL, of resources to the UE (115), the DCI having a format of DCI and configured to transmit a Modulation-Coding Scheme, MCS, table reference; means for identifying an MCS table (505, 510) among a plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) based on the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI, wherein the MCS table reference indicates which table one of the plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) is to be used and wherein the MCS table (505, 510) defines the modulation and encoding to be used for UL transmissions on the resources granted in the grant UL, and wherein an MCS table determination for UL is managed separately from the MCS table determination for downlink; Y means for sending one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to the MCS table (505, 510); wherein the apparatus is adapted to identify the MCS table reference based on at least the DCI format together with a configuration of the DCI, wherein the configuration includes one or more than one type of control channel selected from PDCCH and E-PDCCH, a selected virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH, or a configuration whose power control loop is associated with PUSCH transmissions. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of MCS tables (505, 510) comprises at least one legacy MCS table that is associated with quadrature amplitude modulation down to first order and one non-legacy MCS table which is associated with quadrature amplitude modulation up to a second order, where the second order is greater than the first order. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: means for determining a power offset parameter associated with the identified MCS table (505, 510), wherein a first power offset parameter is associated with a first MCS table (505, 510) and a second power offset parameter power offset is associated with a second MCS table (505, 510). 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: means for determining a transmission power for at least one of the one or more UL transmissions based on the power offset parameter. 9. A method of wireless communications, comprising: configuring downlink control information, DCI, to have a DCI format and to transmit a modulation-coding scheme, MCS, table reference, wherein the MCS table reference indicates which of a plurality of tables of MCS (505, 510) is to be used, where an MCS table determination for UL is handled separately from the MCS table determination for downlink; sending, to a user equipment, UE, (115), the DCI, the DCI comprising an uplink grant, UL, of resources to the UE (115); Y receiving, from the UE (115), one or more UL transmissions modulated and encoded according to an MCS table (505, 510) of a plurality of MCS tables, the MCS table (505, 510) identified based on in the MCS table reference transmitted in the DCI; wherein configuring DCI comprises configuring the DCI to transmit the MCS table reference (505, 510) based on at least the format of the DCI and a configuration of the DCI, where the configuration includes one or more than one type of control channel selected from PDCCH and E-PDCCH, a selected virtual cell ID associated with PUSCH, or a configuration whose power control loop is associated with PUSCH transmissions. 10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 4 or 9.